God now takes credit cards

2006-10-06 15:39

Washington - The days of donating at church by dropping money into a basket may become a thing of the past if Marty Baker has his way.

Baker, a pastor in the southern state of Georgia, has come up with a divine idea to raise money for the Lord - automated teller machines, or Giving Kiosks, that relieve worshippers of their tithe duty with the simple swipe of a credit card.

The kiosks have proved a hit at his Protestant congregation, Stevens Creek Community Church, and are beginning to pop up in other churches across the country eager to roll with the high-tech times.

Convenience

"I think this technology really provides convenience to people," the 45-year-old entrepreneur told AFP.

"You see, our culture lives with a debit card in their hand and so when they come into our church we need to help them and provide them with the convenience so that they can serve the Lord."

He said he came up with the idea for the teller machine several years ago when his church was trying to raise money for a new building.

"I started to examine my life and I looked at how I no longer carried cash or a chequebook but lived with a debit card in my hand," he said.

'They've been a hit'

And so the first Giving Kiosk was rolled out at Stevens Creek in March 2005 and took in $100 000 in donations that year. Two other machines have since been added in the church lobby.

"They've been a hit and this year we are expecting to take in close to $200 000," Baker said. "We knew from the outset that we had something here.

"It's not just about raising money ... it's about being progressive in order to connect with our culture."

- AFP